For those of you sneaking peeks during commercials of the Mizzou game, sorry for the lack of photos. Flickr got 98% done and stalled, so I left my office. This is getting updated at Maria’s with a traditional margarita and the Mizzou game to keep me company – go Memphis (says the UMR grad). I’ll try and get the photos up tomorrow before I leave for the weekend (no, I’m not afraid of snow, I’m carousing in STL this weekend with a friend from Chicago who’s flying in. Not quite Spring Break but some R&R before the season gets into full swing)

Marshfield Blue Jays – 4
Hillcrest Hornets – 0
They weren’t carousing on the pitch at Hillcrest tonight but there was plenty of energy to keep the crowd entertained. The first half was like a basketball game as play went back and forth, neither team able to establish themselves 20 minutes in when the Hornet’s 4 year starter in goal, Jillian Gerkey, was forced to put a shot by Alex Cantrell (on left in photo) up and off the crossbar. The Jays continued to pressure and got what proved to be the game-winner in the 24th minute when #18, Danica Norstrom, ran into the right corner to pick up a loose ball. Her square ball, across the face of the goal at the top of the 6 yard box, found #11 on the back post where she reliably buried the ball into the back of the net.

The Jays would get 3 more goals from 3 different players, including Alex Cantrell’s first goal of the season 4 minutes into the second half (Alex was Marshfield’s top scorer last year as a freshman). Alex buried a ball on the Jay’s 3rd opportunity after Gerkey made two saves but didn’t get any help from her defense. In the 50th, #18 scored a very pretty goal when she made a strong run to the back post on a direct kick by #16, Ashley Honeycutt, that was sent to the back post from the left touchline 35 yards out. The final goal was scored by Honeycutt on a scramble off a corner kick at the back post.

The Jay’s look positioned to compete in District 5, with a nice combination of talent. Alex Cantrell (#22) appears to have free rein to go wherever she fells needed on the pitch from her midfield position, there are a pair of speedy wingers who can chase down balls in the corners and Honeycutt (#16) is a smart, fast sweeper who kept the goalkeeper from needing to make many plays this evening.

The Hornet’s, missing half a dozen players due to Spring Break, should compete this season with Carthage, Central and Willard in the district. Erin Boschen, a playmaker and favorite of mine, is out until late in the season due to injury but it’s a large and energetic group that came out this season, led by #29 Danielle at sweeper and #15 Alicia Ortero at forward. I’ll be out again to watch them surprise some teams.

Springfield Catholic – 3
Lebanon Yellowjackets – 1
Tonights game at Catholic brought out the aficionados tonight, interested in seeing what these two teams are going to be capable of this season. The answer was a positive one for both squads, despite the score. In a game that was fought in the midfield in the first half, the second half saw things open up as rain and early season conditioning (or the lack thereof) changed the flow of the game. Catholic scored first, in the 55th when following a corner kick the Irish were able to keep the ball in the offensive end until Erin Fitzgerald pounced on a ball outside the six yard box and slipped it past the keeper (pictured).

In the 64th, Catholic’s field leader Natalie Smid picked up a loose ball in the defensive end and after a 20 yard run slipped a ball into the path of Emily Ortega who was making a run down the left side. Two touches took her just inside the box and her left footed shot curled to the back post, well beyond the reach of the keeper. It was a beauty.

The Yellowjackets are not to me underestimated this season as they reminded me tonight. They came right back down and after earning a corner kick, senior Janel Glidden buried Hannah Winkel’s ball to bring Lebanon back within one. I’ll have to dig into the roster further, once Coach get’s it to me, but unless Jeff City steps up I would expect that Lebanon and Rolla will renew acquaintances in the District final this year.

Catholic was not done, they never are, and tonight was no different. The final goal was scored by #22 Natalie Smid in the 73rd minute as she buried a ball from inside the 6 yard box, after the Irish once again kept a corner kick down inside the Yellowjackets box. It was only a question of time as she had half a dozen excellent opportunities tonight, with left and right footed shots that were just wide this evening. Kids, if you want to learn what it means to run a team come out and keep an eye on #22 in green.

Nixa Eagles – 8
West Plains Zizzers – 0
At the half only 2-0. 7 different players scored… Rachel Murphy had 2 goals, Jo Pavlowsky, Courtney Frerichs, Kelsey Bartell, Vicki Rische, Ashlyn Robillard, and Tatum Mangum had 1 apiece. Kristin Miller got the shutout.

Carthage Tigers – 2 (PK’s)
Carl Junction Bulldogs – 1
Carthage scored first on a goal by Jessica Diaz. Carl junction scored near the end of the second half. Game ended 1-1 and the teams went two overtime periods without any scoring. Jessica’s pictured in white against Logan-Rogersville earlier this week.

Carthage get’s their first win from the penalty spot against their neighbor and one of the areas other new programs, converting their 2nd and 4th shots while CJ converted on their first PK. Categorized under History!

Laquey Hornets – 6
Richland Bears – 1
Junior Emily Murray scored three goals for the Lady Hornets (now 1-1) while senior Shelbee Cowart, freshman Blair Cristoffer and Capi Burnat added one apiece. Richland’s Couri Braithwait scored the lone Lady Bear goal.